Our Story & Mission

Marsha Ralls is the Founder and CEO of The Phoenix Asheville, a luxury retreat center located in Asheville, North Carolina. Since its establishment in 2021, Marsha has led The Phoenix with a vision to provide a sanctuary for personal inspiration, growth, and life transformation.

Marsha Ralls brings a diverse background encompassing hospitality, wellness, fine arts, and neuroscience, offering a distinctive blend of expertise to her role. As a NeuroChangeSolutions (NCS) consultant, certified yoga instructor, global speaker, author, and mindfulness coach, she seamlessly integrates her passion for fitness, nature, and neuroscience. This fusion creates an environment where individuals can reconnect with their bodies, hearts, and the natural beauty surrounding them.

Throughout her multifaceted career, Marsha has consistently brought like-minded individuals together to create meaningful impact. From her early days as a fitness instructor to her tenure as a global art dealer and entrepreneur, she has been guided by the belief that unity strengthens us when our purpose and vision align.

Prior to her focus on wellness and empowerment, Marsha made significant contributions to the Washington, DC, area, notably serving as a Commissioner for the Arts and Humanities under three mayors. Her legacy includes the curation of 4,000 plus works of art for DC’s Marriott Marquis Convention Hotel, showcasing her dedication to promoting the arts on a grand scale.

Marsha’s entrepreneurial spirit has driven her to found and lead various ventures, including serving as the President and CEO of Closed Monday Productions LLC. She also founded the internationally recognized global art advisory group, The Ralls Collection, where she curated over 449 exhibitions with prominent artists, including her mentor, Robert Rauschenberg, as well as Ellsworth Kelly and Annie Leibovitz. Notably, Marsha showcased the work of five National Geographic photographers in the visual exploration “Cultures on the Edge,” which was exhibited at the United Nations.

Marsha’s achievements have been celebrated through numerous prestigious awards, including being named National Woman of the Year by the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2001, Entrepreneur of the Year in 2008 by the Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship, and Enterprising Woman of the Year in 2019 by Enterprising Women. She was recently recognized as one of the 10 Most Empowering Women Leaders in 2022 by The Women Achiever.

Marsha is a servant leader and member of the global Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for more than 25 years. In 2014, she founded Women of EO (now MyEO Women), emphasizing the importance of women supporting women in business and beyond. Her exemplary leadership and service were recognized by the EO US East region, which awarded her the Living Beyond Yourself award. Marsha’s impact as an entrepreneur has been significant, as evidenced by her inclusion in The Washington Business Journal’s “Women Who Mean Business” list, acknowledging her as one of the top women business leaders in DC.

In addition to her professional endeavors, Marsha is dedicated to giving back to her community. Her commitment to community engagement and service is evident in her involvement as a mentor for college students through her membership in the Economic Club of Washington, DC. She has also served as a member of the Conscious Capital Senior Leadership Network and contributed her expertise as a Board Member of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

Marsha Ralls continues to inspire, curating change and elevating consciousness with every endeavor. As the driving force behind The Phoenix Asheville, she invites others to embark on transformative journeys, shaping a brighter, more vibrant future. Through her visionary leadership, Marsha empowers individuals to transcend limitations and manifest their fullest potential, creating the life they dream.